Mildred Bowen

Mildred Louise (Millie) McClure Bowen, age 63, was set free from years of pain and limited physical activity on Wednesday, 30 October 2024, at Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia, SC. Her immediate cause of death was heart failure.
Born to Larry Cleve, Sr and Marie Elliott McClure on 28 April 1961, in Charlotte, NC, Millie graduated from West Mecklenburg Senior High in 1979; attended Saint Andrews college, Laurinburg, NC, for two years; returned to Charlotte where she worked for Northwestern Bank and attended Central Piedmont Community College to find her future course. She then entered UNC-Greensboro, NC, graduating in 1987 with degrees in English and Spanish.
From high school until the 1990s Millie loved working with Waldenbooks, both part and full-time, having begun in Charlotte and working through her years in Salt Lake City, UT.
From the time she moved to Columbia, SC, in 1999, she worked as Office Assistant at Interstate Battery System of the Carolinas.
From childhood, Millie loved reading and creative activities. On elementary school afternoons, she hurried to visit elderly neighbors, particularly Jessie Cashion Moore and (Cousin) Mildred Aldred McClure, who taught her to crochet and knit.
During a St. Andrews College "Winterim", Millie worked at the Knitwits, a premier needlework store in Charlotte, where the owner Sylvia Daniel, had Millie to knit many of the sample kits she received from manufacturers. That was Millie's "briar patch."
Millie worked there on weekends home and summers as long as Sylvia lived, soaking up Sylvia's vast knowledge. She won many awards for her knitting, the most significant being the 2004 SC State Fair Grand Sweeptakes..
In later years Millie has also been immersed in beading – creating jewelry and artwork from tiny beads. There was always a new pattern or technique to achieve – the more challenging, the better.
She remained a voracious reader – particularly mysteries, but also watched movies, worked puzzles, and made bread.
But, her greatest loves were her family, friends, and pets. Her brother Larry "Cleve" McClure, Jr, died in 1972.
Millie is survived by her parents; her Aunts, Minnie McClure Hill, Terry Kate Barrett, Becky Barrett Kiser (Danny), Susan Barrett, and Linda Rhodes Leagan; her Uncles, Jack Moore Jr and Steve Sullivan; and a host of cousins, and her close friends, who were also family to her, and her 9-lb Chiweenie, Delilah.
A service of worship in Millie's memory, will be at 11 am, Saturday, 16 November 2024, at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 1915 Oakdale Road, Charlotte, NC 28216, conducted by Rev. Glenda Bennett and the Rev. Dr. William G (Mr Bill) Benfield.
Immediately following the worship service, the family wishes for everyone to further honor Millie by going to the Pleasant Grove Family Life Center behind the Sanctuary Building for fellowship, food, and sharing of memories of Millie. Please plan to linger and enjoy the fellowship.
Memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, earmarked for Western NC Helene Relief, Post Office 3000, Boone, NC 28607,Or to 4 Paws Thrift Store, 304 12th Street, West Columbia, SC 29169, an animal shelter near us, which cares for pets of people in homeless shelters and rehab facilities who can no longer care for them.